São Miguel Discovery Group Tour

Fly to São Miguel from London (via Lisbon) where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Ponta Delgada for check in for your 7 night stay. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

• Hotel Description

Today, visit the most popular national park on the island - the famous Sete Cidades, composed of two vibrantly coloured lakes in the centre of a volcanic crater. Stop at the Vista do Rei (King’s View) viewpoint before descending into the crater valley where you can enjoy a leisurely walk along the shores of the green and blue lakes or relax in a cafe. This volcano is one of the most active in the Azores in the last 5,000 years and one of the most beautiful natural settings in the Azores. After lunch, visit the Ethnographical Museum in Capelas before continuing to Fajã de Baixo to visit a pineapple plantation. (B,L)

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Today's full day walking tour explores the fascinating city of Ponta Delgada and its main attractions. Start with a visit to the main church, then stroll through the shopping area and see Senhor Santo Cristo Church, home to the most respected religious image in the island. Then, visit the Church of São José. After a local lunch explore the market and the garden of the city. (B,L)

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Travel towards Furnas, stopping at the Santa Iria viewpoint and a tea plantation and factory to have a taste of the tea. This factory is a real museum for specialists in ancient machinery. Take in an incredible view of the entire Furnas Valley at the Pico do Ferro viewpoint before continuing to Terra Nostra Botanical Park, where there is the option to swim in a natural hot water pool. Afterwards, go to the lake and watch the pots of the cozido (meat and vegetable dish) being taken out from the steamy underground where it cooks for 5 to 6 hours, before trying it for lunch at a local restaurant. Also visit the hot springs and the thermal water centre. On the return trip, stop at Vila Franca, the first capital of the island, to admire its beautiful architecture.(B,L)

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Take to the seas today on a fantastic whale and dolphin watching boat tour. Azores is a great place to for whale watching as the migratory path of many species pass right by the archipelago and up to 28 species of whales and dolphins fill the busy waters of the Azores. During the trip, keep your eyes peeled for a chance to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. (B)

• Hotel Description

Start the day with a city tour of Ribeira Grande, including visits to the local Museum and the passion fruit liqueur factory, a walk through the main streets to the town square and past the beautiful city hall building, and a stop at the Ribeira Grande hot springs. After a local lunch, head up the mountain to admire the magnificent view of the Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake), the one lake on the island in which you encounter nature in a pure state. Return to Ponta Delgada along the south coast which offers beautiful views. En-route, visit the first ceramic factory in the village of Lagoa. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Today, visit the Ribeira dos Caldeirões park before continuing to the village of Nordeste where you can enjoy a short walk through the village. Here, you can see the local women producing local wool products. After lunch, the journey continues through the most beautiful part of Nordeste with an impressive view of magnificent valleys and a stop at the Ponta da Madrugada viewpoint. After driving along the scenic coast, arrive at the enchanting village of Povoação which is where the first inhabitants of the island originally settled. Before returning to the hotel there will time for a break. We recommend trying the coffee and tasting the well known Fofas da Povoação (Povoação traditional eclairs). (B,L)

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